John Q's Steakhouse, a downtown Cleveland landmark, will close June 15: Restaurant Row

Rick Cassara, owner of John Q's Steakhouse on Cleveland's Public Square, says he hopes to remain in the hospitality industry after his landmark restaurant closes on Saturday, June 15.Peggy Turbett, Plain Dealer file

After more than two decades, an endless stream of loyal customers and a procession of celebrities and powerbrokers, John Q's Steakhouse will serve its last meals on Saturday, June 15.

"This is a really bittersweet day for me," says owner Rick Cassara, who claims to have served over one million customers during the sports-themed restaurant's nearly 22-year run.

"I've studied this from every angle, and everything has its time. This is my time. My only concern now is for my employees."

The decision to close his Public Square landmark was "based purely on business reasons," says Cassara, a veteran of the Cleveland hospitality scene with more than 40 years in the industry.

The space originally opened in 1959 as a lynchpin in the once flourishing Stouffers Restaurants chain. The former John Q's Public Bar & Grille became John Q's in 1987.

Speculation is rife with big name restaurants that could open in the space being vacated at 55 Public Square. Its location is a chestnut: a short walk from Horseshoe Casino Cleveland, busy and proliferating hotels, the soon-to-open convention center and the Global Center for Health Innovation (aka the medical mart), and downtown office towers. Although Cassara said he is not privy to details regarding a new tenant and will not be involved in the next operation.

For now, he adds, his primary focus is helping 38 servers, cooks, managers and support staff find new positions in area businesses.

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"I think 10 or 12 have something, have set up interviews or are lined up pretty well," Cassara said.

The restaurateur says he has been working with Cleveland Independents, an organization of more than 90 locally owned restaurants of which Cassara is a member, to seek openings or other opportunities.

"This is a great community and we have a great restaurant city, and I'd sincerely like them to take the time to interview some of these people," Cassara said. "Some have been at John Q's for 20 years; in a business with so much turnover, these are people who have been loyal and hardworking. I can't speak highly enough for them."

The usually candid owner said he had no intention of closing unannounced, as many restaurateurs have done, so he met with his employees over the weekend.

"One came up and shook my hand and said 'Thanks for telling us. The last place I worked, I showed up and there was a note on the door that we'd closed -- and I haven't been paid yet.' That's not how I operate," Cassara said.

To that end, Cassara said, he's asking gift card holders to use their outstanding certificates before John Q's final day.

"One of the things I said to everyone on staff is, 'if you get a job tomorrow I'll understand and shake your hand and wish you well,' Cassara said.

His own next career chapter remains unwritten. At age 59, he looks forward to another six to eight years in a business he loves.

"I think something in this field is the cards," Cassara said. "For now I feel sad and humbled. I'm just thankful to everyone for a wonderful run here."

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